Applying Theory to Policy and Practice: Issues for Critical Reflection - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1138276626 ISBN 13: 9781138276628

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

The analysis of social and public policy and professional practice has become increasingly theoretical in recent years. This volume draws together experienced practitioners and academics in social work, probation and counselling, as well as from other forms of legal and social practice, to better understand the relationship between theory, policy and practice. The contributors argue that the use of theory in studying policy and practice is overall a positive and necessary development. However, they also highlight and explore a number of methodological problems and philosophical issues for critical reflection: ¢ The often inaccessible nature of abstract theoretical argument ¢ Perceived problems of relevance and applicability to practice given the structure and purpose of theoretical modelling; ¢ Philosophical difficulties and questions when applying theoretical generalization to policy and practice. The authors address these problems in a style fully accessible to non-theorists, offering a unique multi-disciplinary resource for students, academics, policy analysts and practitioners.

About this title

About the Author

Steven Smith is Reader in Social Policy and Political Philosophy at the University of Wales, Newport, UK.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1138276626
• ISBN 13: 9781138276628
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176
• Editor: Smith Steven R.